Tornado Shelter

[Darren M]

Yeah, I mean, think of all of those farmers through out the years with nothing more than basically a potato cellar. I recall my Grand Mother having one. Was perfect. We hid out there a few times.

[ceyko]

Yeah, I mean, think of all of those farmers through out the years with nothing more than basically a potato cellar. I recall my Grand Mother having one. Was perfect. We hid out there a few times.

That's the conclusion we've come to overall. The "safe rooms" are great, but last year I decided against them for a variety of reasons.

Also, a simple underground concrete shelter can be a bit of cool storage too for somethings. I had planned to seal from the inside, paint it and use some battery powered LEDs. Also, they sell fly spray that auto dispenses - bet they do the same for other sprays if worried about bugs. We have a copperhead problem, so it would need to be inspected every so often.

Anyway, with some attention and work - I think a simple shelter will be fine as well. Anything more advanced seems to go up in price exponentially. (literally 15K was one quote a got for a basic shelter that was larger in size and a 1/4" thicker on concrete)

[likeitfast55]

I kinda like this one. Seriously thinking about it.

https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=jp7MGJ-LwYY

[ceyko]

I kinda like this one. Seriously thinking about it.

https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=jp7MGJ-LwYY

I was all about that one, but it is a huge no-go if you have a post tension slab. The price is VERY good and it can double as a pit for repairing vehicles.

The company that sells/installs them was REALLY helpful and wanted to make it happen, I just don't want to f around with a survey on my slab and still no promise that they won't hit a cable.

They are fair priced too. If you have a standard slab, I'd do it.

[likeitfast55]

Cable means a re-bar? They will not cut through re-bars? Post-tension is stretched cable in a plastic sheath with hydraulic jacks just before the concrete sets up. Very expensive and used in custom homes and commercial applications.
Most small residential slabs do not have that. They just have re-bar cable interwoven before concrete is poured. What is their policy with that? It would be hard to find a slab without any steel in it.

[ceyko]

Cable means a re-bar? They will not cut through re-bars? Post-tension is stretched cable in a plastic sheath with hydraulic jacks just before the concrete sets up. Very expensive and used in custom homes and commercial applications.
Most small residential slabs do not have that. They just have re-bar cable interwoven before concrete is poured. What is their policy with that? It would be hard to find a slab without any steel in it.

You'd have to ask them that, I have post tension (custom home) so just worring about rebar was a non-issue.

I will say it did occur to me that I could have them just do a separate slab right outside...etc...etc.

Edit: Although I'd doubt they'd have an issue cutting through it - most houses would have rebar.

[likeitfast55]

You'd have to ask them that, I have post tension (custom home) so just worring about rebar was a non-issue.

I will say it did occur to me that I could have them just do a separate slab right outside...etc...etc.

Edit: Although I'd doubt they'd have an issue cutting through it - most houses would have rebar.

Talked with a friend that is a contractor. Unless it is a custom home and the architect called for post-tension(large slab, span across unstable ground,etc....) that 99% of homes have re-bar in the slab. He recommended a laser inspection of your slab before they cut the opening in the garage. He believes that it is a no-problem install for most all houses. The slab should never crack or sink because of the installation of the shelter.

[ceyko]

Talked with a friend that is a contractor. Unless it is a custom home and the architect called for post-tension(large slab, span across unstable ground,etc....) that 99% of homes have re-bar in the slab. He recommended a laser inspection of your slab before they cut the opening in the garage. He believes that it is a no-problem install for most all houses. The slab should never crack or sink because of the installation of the shelter.

Between the prior owner, my own friends who build and a foundation repair person - I'm pretty confident it is post tension. (Same builder built other homes in this area like mine too. Geothermal heat pumps, SIPs construction and post tension slab - just like mine) Also, one of the on-site quotes for a shelter (the one that was in the 15K range) noted this without my input. Most of all though, the prior owner made it known.

Your friend is correct, it is technically possible but if you're in my shoes it's not worth the risk. I'll be left holding the bag/hassle if they screw it up. Plus, as I understood it - the cost went up quite a bit with the analysis as well.

[slow99]

There are companies that will do an in-ground (in your yard) storm shelter - likely for much cheaper.


One option the old lady is looking at:

http://jarrellstormshelters.com/price-list/

[slow99]

Interesting - I can't confirm the validity of this but a friend of mine on facebook lives in Moore, OK and said that:

lots of neighbors and friends put the safe rooms in and that none of them held up. An F5, you have to be underground or you're SOL.

[Couver]

Wrong thread trying to ask in the Moore one..

[bcoop]

Interesting - I can't confirm the validity of this but a friend of mine on facebook lives in Moore, OK and said that:

lots of neighbors and friends put the safe rooms in and that none of them held up. An F5, you have to be underground or you're SOL.

Like I posted yesterday... Who the fuck puts a shelter above ground? Sure companies do it, but that lacks common sense. Look at the pictures from yesterday. It carried entire houses away. "Safe rooms" aren't going to protect you from anything. Underground has proven to work time and time again.

[ceyko]

Like I posted yesterday... Who the fuck puts a shelter above ground? Sure companies do it, but that lacks common sense. Look at the pictures from yesterday. It carried entire houses away. "Safe rooms" aren't going to protect you from anything. Underground has proven to work time and time again.

Yeah, safe rooms/storm shelters (to me) are not the same as a tornado shelter.

[zemog]

It's surprising how many houses I've been asked to reinforce closets in. It's pretty easy when you're building a place to use cinder-block walls (filled with concrete, rebarred to the slab) and stick a steel door on it. Damn effective and cheap to do.

this is the post i was looking for , and its definately the way to go imo

[ceyko]

Let me know how many can't see this and I'll find another place to link from if needed. This is why I gave up the idea of a CMU building for this one. It's certainly better than nothing though. Vertnut, I had forgotten about this post, I have a buddy that builds too and he's actually wanting to start to do the same thing.

I'd feel better with a thick steel room, bolted into the slab. Still - just don't think it could withstand a vehicle...etc being blown across it.